07 January 2013

Tell the Wolves I'm Home - Carla Rifka Brunt

How great is that cover? So great. 
I generally consider myself a stone cold (fox) of a woman; not a lot of things in real life make me cry - which my therapist says isn't something to be proud of, but what does she know? However, this book... this book, you guys.

I read the book jacket before starting in order to remind myself of what I was getting in to, which is always a stupid thing to do. Book jackets are designed to sell books, and they do a Very Bad Job of it. But my point is that the book jacket says those dreaded words, "debut novel," so I promptly tweeted this very snarky thing:



And then 40 pages later, when I was in a figurative flood of tears, I took it back. Because this is what a "debut novel" should be, written by someone with proven writing chops who has turned her face to long-form fiction, and it. is. gorgeous.


It is 1987, Junie is 14, and her best friend is her uncle Finn, who is a fabulous artist in NYC and also dying of AIDS. Quickly. Like, definitely before THIS narrative is over, let's just say that much.

So, here's the deal. This book is about loneliness and growing up and learning about yourself, and also about family relationships and how complicated they can be. And really,


because *I* have a gay uncle who is my favorite, and I am his favorite, and we both love art and Mozart's Requiem and while this isn't our story, it could have been, and I...


I actually had to put the book down a few times to SOB. So nice work, CRB. Puffy eyes at work is my best look.

9.5 out of 11 Clandestine Trips to NYC

Comments (5)

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Yeeah, this is the kind of Real World Serious Issues book that I do not do. Which is why Carry the One didn't work for me. BUT I am extremely glad that it has an appreciative audience. But I'm sorry it made you cry so much. Kinda. 'Cause people should cry from time to time to make their tear ducts are still in good order.
Oh dear. I have this on hold at the library and it's getting closer and closer to my turn (position 12 on 3 copies). Sadness is IMMINENT. Thank you for the warning - I'll be sure to have happy fun time books on hand while reading this one.

I hope the sads didn't stick with you too much!
^You see what Alice said up there? Take that and reverse it, so I will probably LOVE this book (in a sobbing kind of way). Also, I was ABOUT to say, 'AIDS fiction, what is this, the 80s?' and then I went back and saw that it's set in the 80s, so... Ok then!

*cuddles for all the crying*
I'm already an emotional mess right now so this os probably not the right time for me to read this. But I love that your responded so passionately to it.
I also love the bookmark you sent in my Christmas card :)
This sounds like an amazing read. I'm in the mood for some sobbing..strangely enough. Putting this on my list!

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